Local Transmission of Malaria Detected in Florida and Texas: CDC Raises Alert.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday that five cases of malaria have been confirmed in Florida and Texas, marking the first instances of locally acquired transmission of the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease in the United States in two decades.
According to the CDC, four cases were identified in Florida, while one case was reported in Texas over a two-month period.
Florida health officials revealed that the first case was diagnosed on May 26 in Sarasota County, while Texas officials disclosed on June 23 that a Texas resident, who worked outdoors in Cameron County, had contracted the disease.
In response to the situation, the CDC issued an alert emphasizing that malaria is a medical emergency and urged individuals with symptoms to seek urgent evaluation.
However, the CDC also stressed that the risk of malaria remains low within the United States, with the majority of cases occurring when people travel abroad. The health agency noted that 95% of malaria infections are acquired in Africa.
Malaria is caused by five different parasite species carried by specific female mosquitoes. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and in some cases, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Malaria can lead to severe complications, such as kidney failure, seizures, and coma.
Florida has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert, advising residents to eliminate standing water, ensure intact window screens, and use insecticides containing DEET to repel mosquitoes. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in areas with mosquito presence is also recommended.
Similarly, Texas has issued a health alert, urging healthcare providers to routinely inquire about patients’ travel history to determine potential exposure to mosquitoes in regions with malaria activity when evaluating individuals presenting symptoms of the disease.
